Derrick Rose isn't getting rewarded for his drives to the basket as much as he used to, and coach Tom Thibodeau is convinced he knows the reason.
"I don't know of anyone who drives as hard as does, nor as fast as he does" Thibodeau told ProBasketballTalk.com. "And I think sometimes he's penalized for being a nice guy. I'll leave it at that."
But the facts speak volumes. In 2012, Rose averaged 6.1 free throw attempts per game, and in his 2011 MVP season, he got to the line nearly seven times per game.
Over the first three games this season, Rose has attempted just three free throws total. While his shot selection has changed between then and now, only 34 percent of his shots this season have come from inside the restricted are compared to 54 percent during his MVP season, Rose's lack of foul shots is shocking.
Through it all, Rose has vowed that he will not change his style of play.
"I play the same way. The only thing that's gonna change is my confidence level. The only thing I've been working on is shooting longer shots, because I think if people have to come out and stick with me a little bit further, it opens up the court."
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